Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ya-ta Boy]

Does anyone understand the logic behind the system? There must be one. There has to be one. I just can't figure it out.

Example:
I started Sept 1, a couple of weeks into the semester. I worked 7 weeks straight without a full week of classes. At least one 'special' day each week, usually two.

Late Nov. the Grade 3 boys took the uni entrance exam. No more classes for them, but they come and hang out in the library playing computer games or watch movies. Go home at noon. Why do they have to come at all?

This week, the Grade 1 & 2 boys are taking their finals, but we will have 2 1/2 weeks of classes before winter break starts. I can see one or two DAYS, but weeks?

THEN we have a week off before we start 3 weeks of winter vacation classes.

THEN we all come back for a month of classes before the new school year starts.

Altogether, that's about 9 weeks of classes that are not part of a semester...and apparantly the boys are not held responsible for anything that is taught during those weeks.

I know I'm missing something. WHAT IS IT?

[crazylemongirl]

The school year has something to do with winter being the coldest part of the year so save on heating costs. The week in feburary I don't get.

The school year starts March 2nd so I don't understand why programmes insist on hiring people to start in September, half way through the school year.

[krats1976]

I've heard rumors that the government is considering changing the school schedule to the North American school year... like August to June. Anyone else heard this or know details?

[Ya-ta Boy]

I heard the same rumor somewhere. Chosun Ilbo maybe? I hope it is true, but only if it gets rid of these silly weeks of lessons that the students are not held responsible for.

[Hater Depot]

If the school year starts the 2nd... why does no school want me to start before the 20th?

[Karabeara]

I agree, it is weird. This week I am watching my students as they study for the final next week. I am off that week. Then they come back for one more week and we show movies. It does not make sense. The middle school does almost the same. What is the point of them coming back? Just let the kids have the day off. I am convinced the parents would not like it if they had to look after their kids too much.

Much of the second semester flies by here. Why? Because I rarely seem to have more than 2 weeks in a row when I actually have five days of class. Between surprise practice tests and holidays, it adds up to making it really difficult to implement anything effective.

[Ya-ta Boy]